LAREDO, TEXAS — This is an official press release from the U.S. Department of Justice (USAO - Texas, Southern), published as received.
LAREDO, Texas – A 19 year-old Laredo resident has entered a guilty plea to transporting approximately 1.42 kilograms of fentanyl, announced U.S. Attorney Alamdar S. Hamdani.
Ivan Eleodoro Garcia admitted that on Sept. 29, he was driving a 2014 Ford Taurus sedan and stopped for an immigration inspection at the I-35 Border Patrol checkpoint north of Laredo. There, a K-9 positively indicated to concealed humans or narcotics in the rear of the vehicle.
Further investigation led to the discovery of a custom installed hidden compartment between the trunk and passenger area of the sedan where authorities found 13 bags containing 1.42 kg. of blue pills. They initially believed the pills were oxycodone hydrocholoride due to an embossed “M” on each pill. However, a field test later revealed the pills were counterfeit and contained fentanyl.
Garcia has been and will remain in custody pending his sentencing at a later date before U.S. District Judge Diana Saldana. At that time, Garcia faces a minimum of 10 years and up life in prison as well as a possible $10 million maximum fine.
The Drug Enforcement Administration conducted the investigation with the assistance of Border Patrol. Assistant U.S. Attorney Paul A. Harrison is prosecuting the case.
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